They're Dead, But They Won't Rest

The restroom looked like it was from another place or another time. Weeds and trees grew wildly around it, while the rest of the school was spick-and-span. We pupils cleaned the grounds morning and afternoon and every time our teachers didn't feel like teaching. Parents and older folks in the village never tired of warning us not to go near the abandoned restroom, much more open its door, because they said it's a gateway to hell. 

"C'mon, guys," I told my classmates. "Come nearer!" 

Junie and Max shook their heads.  

"Come back here, Walter," Junie told me, his hands on his waist, lips pouting. "You told Ma'am Parson you would just pee. Let's go back now. Do your business behind the classroom." 

"I'm not going to pee," I said. "I want to get the berries. I asked you to come with me because you can climb trees like a monkey." 

"I'm not climbing any tree for you, especially that one," Junie said, pointing at the branches hanging over the roof. "The Nemenzo brothers are inside the restroom. Come back here now before they appear and take you." 

"I'm not afraid of the Nemenzo brothers," I said, my voice shaking a little. 

"You're not afraid of St. Elmo's fire? Don't act like you're brave, Walter. You can't fight it." 

"I'm Batman." 

"You're not Batman," Junie said. "And even if you are, you can't kill St. Elmo's fire because it's already dead. It's a dead person who turned into a ball of fire." 

"It doesn't exist, Junie," I said. 

"It does." 

"It doesn't." 

"Definitely it does," Junie said. "My father saw one himself when he was our age." 

I laughed. It was fake, of course, but my voice was no longer shaking. I think I was truly getting braver the more Junie tried to dissuade me. "Junie, you're the only person in the entire village who believes your father," I said. "He's a drunkard who claims to see all kinds of things. Wait, was he already a drunkard when he was in grade two?" 

Max laughed too. 

"Do whatever you want," Junie said. "I hope St. Elmo's fire eat the two of you." He ran back toward the classroom. 

"Don't mind that gay boy," I told Max. "He only came with us because he wanted to look at me while I pee. How about you, Max? Don't tell me you're afraid of the Nemenzo brothers, too." 

"Of course not," Max said, though his face was paler than usual.  

"That's good," I said. "Grandpa said real boys are not afraid of anything. Now I'll go up first. Let me step on your hands so I can grab a branch." 

"What?" 

"Just do it, will you? If you don't want to help me, pay me now the two bucks you owe me." 

Max scratched his head. Against his will, he walked after me as I went to the tree beside the restroom. 

I took off my slippers, stepped on Max's hands, and reached for the tree's lowest branch. He then pushed me up until I was able to sit on the branch. I climbed up higher and picked a clump of ripe berries. 

I bit one berry. My mouth instantly watered when I tasted the perfect blend of sourness and sweetness. "Wow," I said. "This is more delicious than any fruit I've ever tasted. Want some, Max?"  

Max was looking at something and seemed not to have heard me. 

"Hey!" I called out. 

Max looked up and told me in a hissing voice, "I heard something inside the restroom."